Thanks for the help on the old serial #'s Other than paying Smith and Wesson, is there a way to find out exactly when this gun was issued? I know form reading here a V12--- would be early in WW2, butthe more info the better.

how about a Model 66 (no dash) pinned barrel, recessed chamber with the serial number 2K947XX?

__________________"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." Sinclair Lewis, (It Can't Happen Here, 1935)
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero

Old Retailer please check your serial number agin. The Model 629 began production in 1979 carrying serial number N748564 with a 6 inch barrel. there were 100 preproduction guns made with serial numbers N 629096 to N 629200. The 629-1 began production in 1982 (in 1986-1987 8,000 629-2 were made with 3 inch barrels and round butts for Lew Horton).

__________________"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." Sinclair Lewis, (It Can't Happen Here, 1935)
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero

I have a Hammerless Safety ("Lemon Squeezer"). I believe it's a 4th model. The serial is 117XXX

Assuming it's a 38 caliber. It would be a 4th model. Serial numbers ran from 116003 in 1898 to 220000 in 1907.
I would guess it to be within the 1st year of production but only a "letter" from S&W can verify that.
If it's 32 caliber it would be a 2nd model made between 1902 and 1909.

This K22 belongs to a good friend. S/N K 2539XX. Can you tell me the approx manufacture date?

Under the yoke, there is no model but the number 13384. The S/N -without the “K”- also appears in the barrel under the extraction rod, and the cylinder, something I’ve never seen before. Any comments about these unusual (to me) numbers/locations? Please see pics.

Ok Workhorse the S&W m64 started production in 1970 with a tapered 4 inch barrel, in 1974 the 3 inch barrel was introduced, 1991 the 3 inch barrel became the standard. The 64-5 began production in 1988 with 3 and 4 inch barrels. Can not tell you date by serial number as I cannot find the CAH prefix on my list. But the 3 letter 4 number serial numbers started getting used in the 1980's.

1955.
SN's that year ran from K231256 to K266164.
The number in the yoke cutout is an assembly/inspector number.
In the earlier years S&W would use the serial number on the major married components.
They did not start using/stamping models numbers till 1957.

Looks like all the Standard Catalog of S&W gives is a broad range from 1911-1942 which covers serial numbers 263001-536684 of the 3rd Model .32 Hand Ejector.

Sorry, but there is no way for me to tell which year it was shipped from the factory, by looking it up in the book. Call S&W, or send off for a factory letter, its the only way to see if further info is available. Or maybe someone has a serial number close to yours that knows the details, that still wouldn't tell you what year yours was shipped in, which is all S&W has records on, not dates of manufacture.

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